Bands of Color

Some principles of good garden design emphasize the use of colored foliage to create pops of color in the garden. Colored foliage adds interest throughout the seasons in addition to explosions of color created by blooms.

Under the mature Quercus alba, white oak, shade-loving perennials are planted in stripes of blue, yellow, purple, and green. photo credit: R. Robert

Designer Sara Schuh of SALT design took this concept to a new level with her design for Whittier Hall. Instead of pops of color, she created bands of color. Under the mature Quercus alba, white oak, and Diosypros virginiana, persimmon, shade-loving perennials are planted in stripes of blue, yellow, purple, and green.

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ creates this striking band of yellow. photo credit: R. Robert